ES2436849T3 - Meat Processing System - Google Patents

Abstract

Meat processing system (1; 101) comprising: a production station (2; 102) for producing meat products (8; 108,208), preferably pieces of poultry such as chicken or turkey, preferably breast fillets; a processing station (3; 103) for the processing of meat products (8; 108,208); a transport system (4; 104) configured to transport the meat products (8; 108 208) in a transport direction (5; 105,205) along a transport path from the production station (2; 102) to the processing station (3; 103), the transport system comprising: at least one supply conveyor belt (6; 106 206) that extends in a supply direction to transport the meat products along a supply section ( 10; 110 210) of the transport path in a supply orientation relative to the transport direction (5; 105,205) that is determined by the production station (2; 102); and at least one discharge conveyor (7; 107) which extends in a discharge direction to transport the meat products along a discharge section (11; 109) of the transport path in a discharge orientation relative to a transport direction (5; 105,205) that is determined a by the transport system (4; 104), in which the surface of the supply conveyor belt (6: 106) in the downward direction inclines gradually transverse to the transport direction (5; 105), from a substantially horizontal position for supporting a meat product (8; 108) in a preferably substantially vertical position, inclined to transfer the meat product (8; 108) in a direction substantially transverse to the transport direction (5; 105) to the conveyor of discharge (7; 107) which, at the location of the transfer, extends along the supply conveyor belt (6; 106) such that, during the transfer from the supply conveyor belt (6; 106) to the discharge conveyor (7; 107), the meat product (8; 108) slopes around an axis that extends substantially in the direction of transport (5; 1 05), and the side of the meat product that is turned towards down on The supply conveyor belt (6; 106) is turned upwards in the discharge conveyor (7; 107), such that the supply conveyor belt (6; 106, 206) is configured for the transfer of meat products to The unloading conveyor (7; 107) and the transport system is configured so that the orientation of the meat products on the unloading conveyor (7; 107) differs from the orientation of the meat products on the supply conveyor belt ( 6; 106,206).

Description

Meat Processing System

[0001] The invention relates to a meat processing system comprising a production station, a processing station and a transport system for transporting meat products from the production station to the processing station.

[0002] Meat processing systems of this type are known in the prior art. In the meat processing industry, production lines are used in which meat products are transported from production stations, for example, a chicken breasts extraction station, to a processing station, for example to weigh and / or classify breast fillets, by means of transport systems, in particular, conveyor belts.

[0003] A problem associated with current meat processing systems is that production stations and processing stations are not always properly linked together. For example, a production station may be configured to produce a flow of meat products on a conveyor belt, with meat products placed on the conveyor belt with a cutting surface facing down on the conveyor belt. A post-processing station is configured to visually inspect the cutting surface. However, in order to do this, meat products have to be on the conveyor belt with the cutting surface facing up. It can also happen, for example, that a production station generates two flows of meat products, while the processing station can only process a single meat product.

[0004] In practice, such compatibility problems are often solved by including an additional processing station in the production line. In a station of this type of processing, the meat products are taken manually from a supply conveyor and placed on a discharge conveyor in the correct position. Meat products from several supply conveyors are also transferred manually to a single discharge conveyor belt, or vice versa. Such known solutions are not desirable, since the use of labor entails high costs and the risk of errors that occur during processing is relatively high.

[0005] Documents DE-A-1454072 and US-A-4,958,409 show transport systems for changing the orientation of fish fillings.

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide an improved meat processing system that, at least in part, solves the problem with respect to the orientation of meat products, preferably poultry slaughterhouse parts such as chickens, preferably , of breast fillets. In particular, the invention is directed to providing a meat processing system comprising a transport system that makes it possible to join a production station configured to produce meat products with a certain orientation to a processing station configured to process a flow of meat products with an orientation that differs from the orientation of the meat products that are delivered by the production station.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention provides a meat processing system according to claim 1. Such a system comprises a production station, a processing station and a transport system configured to transport the meat products in a transport direction to along a transport path from the production station of the processing station. The transport path has a supply part and a discharge part oriented downwards. The supply part includes a supply conveyor and the discharge part a discharge conveyor.

[0008] The transport system comprises at least one supply conveyor for transporting meat products along a supply section of the transport path and at least one discharge conveyor for transporting meat products at along a discharge section of the transport path. The supply conveyor supplies meat products with a supply orientation determined by the production station with respect to the transport direction. The supply conveyor is configured to transfer the meat products for the discharge conveyor and the transport system, preferably the discharge conveyor of the transport system, and is configured such that the discharge orientation, that is the orientation of the Meat products with respect to the transport direction of the discharge conveyor belt, differs from the supply orientation, that is, the orientation of the meat products with respect to the transport direction of the supply conveyor belt.

[0009] The transport system is therefore configured to change the orientation of a stream of meat products during transport. In this way, the orientation with which the meat products are supplied by the production station is modified to match the orientation with which the meat products are processed in the processing station.

[0010] The preparation of poultry breast fillets, for example, chicken, includes, for example, packaging the breast fillet in a packaging tray (and optionally sealing the tray), cutting the breast fillet into strips

or dice, examine the breast fillet in case it has, for example, bone chips and / or bumps, weigh the breast fillet, pick up the breast fillet with a robot arm and place it on a packaging tray, marinate the fillet of breast, etc. For processing at the processing station to be possible, in many cases, the breast fillet has to be supplied to the processing station with a certain orientation. Breast fillets, for example, are packaged with the outer side facing up, so that the latter is visible through the transparent sealing film of the packaging tray. The color and texture of the outer face of the breast steak facing the skin before slaughter are relatively uniform, compared to the inner side of the breast steak facing the breast before slaughter. The outer side of the breast fillet is therefore more attractive to the consumer than the inner side of the breast fillet.

[0011] To explore the bone fillets of bone chips and bumps, it is preferable that the inner side of the breast fillets is facing up. To weigh them, it is preferable that the breast fillets are supplied individually. To cut the breast fillets, it is preferable that the breast fillet be supplied to the processing station with a wide front side.

[0012] The production stations supply the breast fillets with a certain orientation. This orientation does not always correspond to the desired orientation of the breast fillet for processing at the next processing station. The invention makes it possible to assemble a meat processing system comprising a production station and a processing station, in which the production station supplies the meat products with a different orientation to the orientation with which the meat products are processed by the processing station.

[0013] A meat processing system according to the invention, therefore, does not require an additional processing station in which the orientation of the flow of meat products is adjusted manually. A meat processing system according to the invention therefore processes meat products in an efficient manner, that is, at low cost and with a small risk of processing errors.

[0014] A meat processing system according to the invention comprises a supply conveyor that is configured to change the orientation of the meat products supplied by this supply conveyor by rotating the meat products so that the side of the meat product that is turned towards Down on the supply conveyor is turned up on the discharge conveyor. Such a system is particularly suitable for rotating, for example, slaughter poultry breast fillets. The breast fillets have an inner side that is attached to the animal's skeleton, and an outer side that is turned towards the animal's skin. Once the breast fillets have separated, also known with the specialist term "remove the skin" from the skeleton of the bird, the inner part has to be checked for possible splinters of bones and bumps. For this operation, it is preferable that the inner side of the breast fillet is turned upward, to make possible the visual inspection of the inner surface of the breast fillet. In many cases, the breast fillet is subsequently packaged with the skin side facing up, which is more attractive to the consumer. Therefore, it is necessary to rotate the breast fillet at least once during the process. Due to the elongated and flexible shape of the breast fillet and the slightly sticky surface, this is a task that is difficult to carry out manually quickly and accurately. A meat processing system according to the invention is particularly suitable for producing, inspecting, rotating and processing breast fillets quickly.

[0015] The supply conveyor is configured such that the surface of the supply conveyor belt in the downward direction gradually inclines transversely to the transport direction, from a substantially horizontal position, to support a meat product in a substantially vertical position in order to transfer the meat product to the discharge conveyor in a lateral direction, such that the breast fillet is inclined around an axis parallel to the transport direction.

[0016] In a first embodiment, the supply conveyor belt extends substantially in line with the discharge conveyor and overlaps slightly with the discharge conveyor. The inclined end of the supply conveyor belt extends to the side of the discharge conveyor. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable when the space for placing the transport system is limited in the width direction. As the supply conveyor overlaps the discharge conveyor, and the part of the supply conveyor belt that extends to the side of the discharge conveyor belt extends substantially in the vertical direction, the assembly is particularly narrow. A small footprint is particularly advantageous, for example, in slaughterhouses where work is carried out in conditioned spaces, for example, refrigerated spaces of limited size.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the supply conveyor does not overlap the discharge conveyor, but the supply conveyor extends partly to the side of the discharge conveyor. The surface of the supply conveyor belt tilts gradually and transversely towards the direction of transport in the

end of the supply part of the transport path from a substantially horizontal position, to support a meat product in an inclined and substantially vertical position, to transfer the meat product in the discharge conveyor in a direction substantially transverse to the direction Of transport. As in this embodiment, the supply conveyor does not overlap with the discharge conveyor, the products can be placed on the supply conveyor above the point where the products are transferred from the supply conveyor to the discharge conveyor. . Such an embodiment is therefore particularly suitable for the combination of two product streams in one product stream.

[0018] The invention therefore provides a meat processing system comprising a simple transport system for connecting a production station to a processing station.

[0019] The transport system makes it possible to adjust the discharge orientation of a production station during the transport process from the production station of the processing station to the input orientation of a processing station. Therefore, no separate processing station is required in which the orientation is adjusted, for example, manually. The transport system is simple and therefore can be produced and maintained with low costs.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, a meat processing system according to the invention is provided with a production station configured to produce a first and second flow of meat products simultaneously, and a processing station. for the processing of a single flow of meat products.

[0021] The meat processing system further preferably comprises a transport system provided with a first supply conveyor belt according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, and at least a second supply conveyor according to the last mentioned example.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the two supply conveyors transfer the meat products to a common discharge conveyor. The common discharge conveyor belt extends in a discharge direction for the transport of meat products supplied by the supply conveyors along a discharge section of the transport path. The number of meat products discharged per unit of time by the discharge belt differs from the number of meat products supplied per unit of time per a single supply tape. The discharge frequency of the discharge belt is equal to the combined supply frequencies of the two supply bands.

[0023] Such a meat processing system is particularly suitable for changing the orientation of meat products, preferably by tilting meat products around an axis parallel to the direction of transport, and the combination of a first and second product stream. meat in a single flow of meat products. The transport system can be assembled easily from relatively simple construction conveyor belts, resulting in low production costs.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment, the invention provides a meat processing system comprising a production station for separating the skin from slaughtered poultry breast fillets, in which the production station is configured. to produce substantially simultaneously a first flow of breast fillets on the left side and a second stream of breast fillets on the right side.

[0025] The meat processing system comprises a processing station for processing a single flow of breast fillets, both left and right. The meat processing system further comprises a transport system configured to transport the breast fillets in a transport direction along a transport path from the production station to the processing station. For this purpose, the transport system comprises a first and a second supply conveyor belt, and a common discharge conveyor.

[0026] The first supply conveyor belt extends in a supply direction to transport the breast fillets on the left side along a first section of the transport path at a supply supply frequency and a supply orientation. with respect to the direction of transport determined by the production station.

[0027] The second supply conveyor belt extends in a supply direction for the transport of breast fillets from the right side along a second section of the transport path at a supply frequency and a supply orientation. with respect to the direction of transport determined by the production station.

[0028] The common discharge conveyor extends in a discharge direction for transporting breast fillets supplied by the supply conveyors along a discharge section of the transport path.

[0029] The first and second supply conveyor is configured for the transfer of breast fillets to the common discharge conveyor belt in a first and second transfer location, respectively, in which case the second transfer location is located below the first transfer location. The breast fillets are transferred to the discharge conveyor belt in a lateral direction with respect to the transport direction.

[0030] Preferably, at least one supply conveyor of the meat processing system is configured such that the transport surface in the downward direction inclines gradually transversely to the transport direction from an inclined position, substantially horizontal , to support a breast fillet in a substantially vertical position in order to transfer the breast fillet. The breast fillet in this case is transferred to the discharge conveyor belt in a direction substantially transverse to the transport direction. As a result of the angle that the transport surface of the supply conveyor makes with respect to the transport surface of the discharge conveyor, which extends substantially in the horizontal direction, the breast fillet tilts during the transfer around an axis which extends substantially in the direction of transport. In this case, the meat product is tilted at an angle of substantially 180 degrees, so that the side of the meat product that is turned down on the supply conveyor belt is turned upward on the discharge conveyor.

[0031] Providing the supply conveyor belt with a transport surface that gradually tilts in the direction of transport makes it possible to incline the breast fillets simply and efficiently during transport.

[0032] The discharge conveyor supplies the breast fillets to the processing station with a discharge orientation that differs from the supply orientation of the supply conveyor and a discharge frequency that differs from the supply frequency of a supply conveyor .

[0033] According to the invention, a meat processing system provided with a production station substantially configured to simultaneously produce a first and a second flow of breast fillets is preferably provided with a dividing conveyor belt for the separation of breast fillets. in a first flow of breast fillets on the left side and a second flow of breast fillets on the right side. The dividing conveyor belt comprises a left conveyor belt and a right conveyor belt, both extending from a collection area where the breast fillets fall from the collection machine to a transfer area, where the breast fillets on the left side and belt Conveyor on the right is transferred to the first and second supply conveyor of the transport system, respectively. In the reception area, the left and right sides of the conveyor belt are placed against each other in such a way that there is little or no space between the conveyor belts to collect the left and right breast fillets that overlap slightly each other. The conveyor belts on the right and left sides diverge from each other below the collection area, the left conveyor belt running along the breast fillet on the left and the conveyor belt on the right side running along the fillet steak. breast on the right, so that the overlapping breast fillets are separated from each other.

[0034] Preferably, the transport system of a meat processing system according to the invention has a modular design, so that the stations and the transport system can be replaced independently of each other in order to combine a particular class of Production station with different processing stations and vice versa. For example, supply conveyors and discharge conveyors are separate components, which can be combined in different configurations. A single discharge conveyor can for example be combined with one or two supply conveyors, depending on the production station used.

[0035] A transport system according to the invention comprises a transport path for the transport of meat products in a transport direction. The transport path extends between a production station and a processing station and has a supply part and a subsequent discharge part. The supply part comprises a supply conveyor and the discharge part comprises a discharge conveyor. The supply conveyor transfers the meat products to the discharge conveyor in such a way that the orientation of the meat products with respect to the direction of transport is modified.

[0036] It is possible that an operation is performed on meat products along the supply part of the transport path. Therefore, a processing station can, for example, be provided along the supply part in order to visually inspect the meat products with the eyes or with a camera during transport on a conveyor belt for discoloration, in which case a human or a robot removes discolored meat products from the conveyor belt, respectively. Only non-discolored meat products are subsequently transferred to the discharge conveyor of the supply conveyor.

[0037] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the subclaims.

[0038] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which:

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 Figure 1 shows a top view of a first meat processing system according to the invention;

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 Figure 2 shows a side view of the meat processing system from Figure 1;

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 Figure 3 shows a top view of a second meat processing system according to the invention;

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 Figure 4 shows a side view of the meat processing system from Figure 3;

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 Figure 5 shows a top view of a third meat processing system according to the invention;

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 Figure 6 shows a view in the direction of arrow B along a cross section on line AA of the meat processing system from Figure 5;

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 Figure 7 shows a view in the direction of the arrow C along a cross section on the line AA of the meat processing system from Figure 5;

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 Figure 8 shows a top view of an alternative transport system for a meat processing system according to the invention;

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 Figure 9a shows a front view of an additional alternative transport system for a meat processing system according to the invention;

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 Figure 9b shows a top view of the transport system of Figure 9a;

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 Figure 10a shows a front view of an additional alternative transport system for a meat processing system according to the invention;

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 Figure 10b shows a top view of the transport system of Figure 10a;

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 Figure 11 shows a side view of an additional alternative transport system for a meat processing system according to the invention;

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 Figure 12 shows a top view of an additional alternative transport system for a meat processing system according to the invention; Y

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 Figure 13 shows a top view of an additional alternative transport system for a meat processing system according to the invention.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a meat processing system 1 according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a side view of the same exemplary embodiment. The meat processing system 1 comprises a production station 2 for the production of meat products 8 and a processing station 3 for the processing of meat products 8. On the other hand, the meat processing system comprises a system of transport 4 configured for the transport of the meat products 8 in a transport direction 5 along a transport path from the production station 2 to the processing station 3.

[0040] The transport system 4 comprises a supply conveyor 6 that extends in a supply direction in order to transport the meat products 8 along a supply section 10 of the transport path at a frequency of supply and a supply orientation with respect to the transport direction 5, and, in particular, with respect to a transport surface of the supply conveyor 6, which are determined by the production station 2.

[0041] The transport system 4 further comprises a discharge conveyor 7 that extends in a discharge direction in order to transmit the meat products 8 along a discharge section 11 of the transport path in a discharge orientation with respect to the transport direction 5 which is determined by the transport system 4.

[0042] The transport path of the meat processing station 4 thus extends from the production station 2 to the interior of the processing station 3, and is divided into the supply section, indicated by the double arrow 10 , and the download section, indicated by the double arrow.

[0043] The supply conveyor 6 is configured to transport the meat products 8 of the production station 2 along the supply section 10 of the transport route. At the end of the supply section 10 of the transport path, the supply conveyor 6 transfers the meat products 8 to the discharge conveyor 7.

[0044] The discharge conveyor 7 is configured to receive the meat products 8 supplied by the supply conveyor 6 and to transport the meat products 8 along the discharge section of the transport path. The transport surface of the unloading conveyor extends substantially in a horizontal plane in order to collect the meat product and make it tilt.

[0045] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the supply conveyor and the discharge conveyor are part of the production station and the processing station, respectively. This has the advantage that

The entire system can have a compact design, and the length of the transport path between the production station and the processing station can be kept compact.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the supply conveyor 6 begins at the production station 2 and the discharge conveyor ends beyond the processing station 3. In an alternative embodiment, the supply conveyor is started before the production station, and / or the discharge conveyor ends at the processing station.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment, the supply conveyor and / or the discharge conveyor are not part of the production station and the treatment station, respectively. The supply conveyor begins beyond the production station and receives meat products from means of supply, such as a conveyor belt, from the production station. The discharge conveyor terminates before the processing station and transfers the meat products to, for example, a second conveyor belt that is part of the processing station.

[0048] Supply section 10 and discharge section 11 of the end of the transport path start and end, respectively, at a transfer location, indicated by double arrow 12. Transfer location 12 is the area in the that a meat product 8 is transferred from the supply conveyor 6 to the discharge conveyor 7. As the conveyor belts overlap, the supply part 10 and the discharge part 11 of the transport path also overlap.

[0049] The supply conveyor 6 is configured for the transfer of the meat products 8 to the discharge conveyor belt such that the discharge orientation differs from the supply orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply conveyor 6 is configured to change the orientation of the meat products 8 supplied by said supply conveyor 6 by turning the meat products around a horizontal axis extending parallel to the direction of transport 5. The meat products in this case are rotated in such a way that the side of the meat product turned down on the supply conveyor 6 is turned upward on the discharge conveyor 7.

[0050] In order to clearly illustrate the inclination of the meat products 8, the meat products in Figure 8 are provided with a contrasted upper and lower part. In the supply conveyor 6, the meat products are placed with the sharpest side on the transport surface of the conveyor belt. In the discharge conveyor 7, the rotated meat products 8 are placed with the sharp side facing up.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the supply conveyor 6 actually overlaps the discharge conveyor 7. The supply conveyor 6 extends substantially in line with the discharge conveyor 7. The part of the conveyor belt of supply 6 that overlaps with the discharge conveyor 7, seen from above, makes a slight curve, as a result of which the supply direction of the supply conveyor 6 makes an angle with the discharge direction of the discharge conveyor 7.

[0052] The part of the supply conveyor belt 6 that overlaps with the discharge conveyor 7 forms a connection between the portion of the supply conveyor belt 6 which extends in line with the discharge conveyor 7 and a lower part of the supply conveyor belt 6, which extends to the side of the discharge conveyor 7. The part of the supply conveyor belt 6 that extends downwardly from the curve extends to the side of the discharge conveyor belt. Here, the supply conveyor 6 is inclined with respect to the part of the supply conveyor belt that overlaps with the discharge conveyor 7.

[0053] The supply conveyor is turned around a return roller 14 with a rotation axis 17 extending in a substantially vertical direction. The conveyor belt subsequently returns to a return roller 14 at the beginning of the first part 10 of the transport path. The axis of rotation of this return roller extends in a horizontal direction. The part of the supply conveyor belt that extends between the return rollers and moves in the supply direction during transport is indicated in the figure with 6A. The part of the supply conveyor belt that moves in the opposite direction to the supply direction is indicated with 6B in the figure

[0054] As mentioned above, the production station 2 produces meat products 8. The meat product 8 falls from the production station on the supply conveyor 6 and is transported on the supply part 10 of the transport path by the conveyor belt. At the end of the supply part 10 of the transport path, the conveyor belt makes a curve, in which case the discharge conveyor 7 emerges from under the supply conveyor belt 6. The meat product 8 is carried along of the supply conveyor belt 6 and the transport surface gradually inclines transversely to the transport direction. As a result, the grip of the meat product to the transport surface gradually decreases. At some point, the grip of the meat product on the conveyor belt is so slight that the meat product slides laterally in the direction of the discharge conveyor belt. Meat products fall on one side of the transport surface of the discharge conveyor and therefore slopes around a

axis extending substantially in a direction parallel to the transport direction. The meat product 8 therefore turns around and, at the same time, is transferred to the discharge conveyor 7. The discharge conveyor 7 subsequently carries the meat product converted to more than 8 in the direction of discharge to the station Processing 3. In the processing station 3, the side of the meat product 8 that is turned up is inspected for bone chips, for example, with a scanner.

[0055] Such a meat processing system can be used, for example, to combine a production station that supplies breast fillets in a position with the inner side turned upwards with a packing station in which the breast fillets are packed with the opposite side of the skin turned up, as it is more attractive to the consumer.

[0056] An advantage of the above-described supply conveyor belt that extends substantially in line with the discharge conveyor and overlaps with the latter at the end is that the configuration with two conveyor belts in line with each other makes it possible A very narrow layout.

[0057] Figure 3 shows a top view of an alternative meat processing system 101 according to the invention in which the at least one supply conveyor 106 is also configured to change the orientation of the meat products 108 supplied by said feed conveyor supply by turning the meat products on a horizontal axis that extends substantially parallel to the direction of transport

105. Figure 4 shows a side view of the same exemplary embodiment.

[0058] The meat processing system is provided with a production station 102, a processing station 103 and a transport system 104 for transporting products 108 from the production station 102 to a meat processing station 103. In contrast to the meat processing system shown in Figures 1 and 2, the production station shown in Figures 3 and 4 is configured to produce a first and second flow of meat products substantially simultaneously.

[0059] The meat processing system, in particular, the transport system, therefore, is provided with a first supply conveyor 106 and a second supply conveyor 206. Both supply conveyors extend in a transport direction. 105, 205 for transporting the first flow of meat products and the second flow of meat products, respectively, along a supply section of the transport path 110, 210. Meat products are transported at a frequency of supply and with a supply orientation with respect to the transport direction and with respect to the transport surface of the respective supply conveyors 106, 206 which are determined by the production station 102.

[0060] The two conveyors transfer the meat products to a common discharge conveyor 107 that extends in a discharge direction to transport the meat products 108, 208 supplied by the supply conveyors 106, 206 along a section of discharge 109 of the transport path with an orientation determined by the transport system. The discharge orientation of a meat product on the discharge conveyor belt differs from the supply orientation in a supply conveyor. Similarly, the discharge frequency of the discharge conveyor differs from the supply frequency of a supply conveyor. The discharge frequency of the discharge conveyor is equal to the combined supply frequencies of the supply conveyors.

[0061] The supply conveyors provide the products at a delivery rate V1 and the discharge conveyor expels the products at a discharge rate V2 that is at least twice that of the delivery rate V1. This makes it possible for the discharge conveyor to discharge the meat products supplied in two streams into a single stream. The combination of two or more streams of meat products is advantageous, for example, when the processing station is a weight station for weighing individual meat products.

[0062] A weight station generally has a high capacity, but can only weigh products individually. A weight station, therefore, can only process a single flow of meat products. By combining two supply flows to form a single discharge stream, the meat products can be weighed into a single weight station and it is not necessary to provide two weight stations together with one another.

[0063] It will be apparent that, according to this solution, several of the supply conveyors described in this description can be combined with each other in order to transfer two product flows to a common discharge conveyor that unloads the meat products in a single stream of meat products.

[0064] In this case, it is also possible that the supply speed of the supply conveyors is equal to the discharge speed of the common discharge conveyor. In said embodiment, the supply frequency of the supply conveyors is such that a meat product is passed to the discharge conveyor at certain intervals. During said interval, the other supply conveyor belt then passes to a meat product for the discharge conveyor, etc. It is understood that to determine the speeds of

supply and discharge and mutual distance between meat products in order to adapt the supply and discharge frequencies of the conveyor belts to each other such that two or more product streams can be combined to form a single product stream It is within the capabilities of a person skilled in the art.

[0065] The two supply conveyors illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 are described in more detail below.

[0066] The first supply conveyor 106 extends at the end of the supply section 110 of the transport path along the discharge conveyor 107. The end of the supply part of the transport path in this way is overlap with the start of the discharge part of the transport path. This transfer area is indicated by double arrow 111.

[0067] At the end of the supply section of the transport path, the surface of the supply conveyor belt 106 gradually tilts transversely to the transport direction. The surface tilts from a substantially horizontal position to support a meat product 108 to an inclined position to transfer the meat product 108 to the discharge conveyor 107, whose inclined position is substantially vertical in the preferred embodiment illustrated, in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of transport 105. During the transfer from the supply conveyor 106 to the discharge conveyor belt 107, the meat product 108 bends around an axis substantially parallel to the transport direction 105.

[0068] In order to fully tilt the meat product, the transport surface of the supply conveyor belt tilts with respect to the transport surface of the unloading conveyor, such that the meat product falls on its side in the supply conveyor after the transfer, and then loses balance in the direction of the discharge conveyor, and therefore inclines around an axis parallel to the transport direction.

[0069] Preferably, the coefficient of friction between the surface of the supply conveyor belt and the meat product is such that the meat product only slides out of the supply conveyor when the transport surface has been inclined so significant with respect to the transport surface of the discharge conveyor. The kinetic energy resulting from the sliding of the meat product down helps the meat product to tilt when it comes into contact with the discharge conveyor.

[0070] Tests have shown that with certain meat products, such as poultry breast fillets such as chicken and turkey, this effect can be achieved by means of conveyor belts provided with a relatively smooth surface.

[0071] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the first supply conveyor belt is provided with an optional scraper 113. The purpose of the scraper is to loosen the meat products that do not detach from the supply conveyor belt in time and slide them in the direction of the discharge conveyor belt from the supply conveyor such that they still slide in the direction of the discharge conveyor belt. The scraper extends across the surface of the supply conveyor belt, such that a meat product that remains "stuck" to the supply conveyor belt moves over the scraper. The scraper separates the meat product from the supply conveyor belt, and as a result, the meat product is transferred to the discharge conveyor belt.

[0072] The part of the supply conveyor belt that extends between the return rollers and moves in the supply direction during transport is indicated in the figure by 106A. The part of the supply conveyor belt that moves in the opposite direction to the supply direction is indicated in the figure by 106B.

[0073] The exemplary embodiment described above of a supply conveyor extending parallel to the discharge conveyor has the advantage that this principle can be applied to both sides of a discharge belt. Therefore, the solution can be applied flexibly and for example can be used to add a first and second supply stream to a common discharge conveyor on the right side and the side on the left side.

[0074] The second supply conveyor 206 is also configured to change the orientation of the meat products supplied by this supply conveyor by turning the meat products so that the side of the meat product turned down on the belt Supply conveyor is turned up on the discharge belt. However, contrary to the solutions described above, meat products lean around a horizontal axis that extends transversely to the direction of transport.

[0075] At the end of the supply section 210 of the transport path, the transport surface of the supply conveyor 206 is extended such that the supply of the transport address is in line with the discharge transport address in the start of the discharge part of the transport route. The transport surface of the supply conveyor 206 is positioned at such a height above the transport surface of said discharge conveyor 107 that a supplied meat product 208 rotates about an axis transverse to the transport direction when it falls from the Supply conveyor belt to the discharge conveyor belt. In such an arrangement, the anterior and posterior parts of the meat product, therefore, also change.

[0076] The advantage of this supply conveyor belt is that a simple conveyor belt can be used that threads return rollers at its ends extending parallel to each other. Such conveyor belts are easy to produce and therefore their cost is low. In addition, the positioning of the supply conveyor belt in line with the discharge conveyor makes it possible to achieve a compact arrangement.

[0077] On the basis of the above description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described supply conveyors can be used in different combinations and configurations. Therefore, for example, the supply conveyors illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 can be used separately with a discharge conveyor, identical to the meat processing system shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0078] It is also possible, for example, to combine the supply conveyor belt shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the meat processing system shown in Figures 3 and 4. This system combines three supply conveyors with a discharge conveyor. common. In such a system, the third supply conveyor belt can deliver the meat products at a location below the transfer locations of the first and second supply conveyor. Preferably, the delivery speed of the three supply conveyors is equal and the discharge rate of the discharge conveyor is substantially three times faster than the delivery speed.

[0079] Such a combination has the advantage that three product flows can be combined to form a single product stream and that the arrangement is very compact. Thus, a processing station for weighing a single flow of meat products can be used, for example, in combination with a production station that simultaneously produces three flows of meat-based products, or for example, with a first station of production that produces two product flows and a second production station that produces a single product flow.

[0080] A further configuration of the transport installation is illustrated in Figures 8-13.

[0081] Figure 8 shows a transport system 800 comprising a supply conveyor 801, a discharge conveyor 802 and a transfer conveyor belt 805. The transport system 800, in particular, the transfer conveyor belt 805, is configured to transfer the meat-based products 804 from the supply conveyor 801 to the discharge conveyor belt 802 such that the discharge orientation differs from the supply orientation with respect to the transport direction. The transport direction is indicated by arrows 803.

[0082] The transfer conveyor belt 805 is provided with a transport surface, preferably formed by directed rollers, for supporting the meat products and for transporting said meat products in a transport direction. The beginning and the end of the transport surface of the transfer conveyor belt 805 are at an angle of forty-five degrees to the transport direction 803. As shown in Figure 8, the meat products are transported on the belt transfer conveyor in a transport direction 803 which is at an angle of forty-five degrees relative to the transport direction 803 of the supply conveyor 801, and is at an angle of forty-five degrees to the transport direction 803 of the conveyor of 802 discharge. As a result of this configuration of the transfer conveyor belt, the meat products are rotated through a 90 degree angle around a vertical axis by the transport system, that is, a right angle axis with The transport surface. In the illustrated example, the meat products 804 in the supply conveyor 801 extend transversely to the transport direction, and the meat products 804 in the discharge conveyor 802 extend parallel to the transport direction. A transfer conveyor belt with start and end at an angle with the direction of transport of the meat products on said transfer conveyor belt makes it possible to produce a transport system where the meat products are rotated about a vertical axis, in in which case the transport surfaces of the conveyor belts are located at the same height, and the transport surfaces must not overlap each other.

[0083] Such a transport system is, for example, especially suitable for the connection of a production station in which poultry breast fillets are produced, and a processing station in which the breast fillets are subsequently cut .

[0084] In many cases, the output of such production stations is not linked to the input of a station of this type of processing. The left and right part of poultry breast fillets are often separated from the carcass at the same time and passed to a conveyor belt. In the illustrated example, breast fillets are passed to the conveyor belt in pairs, such that they extend transversely to the transport direction.

[0085] The processing stations for cutting breast fillets are often configured to cut the breast fillets in the length direction, in which case the knives are preferably coupled with the widest part of the breast fillet.

[0086] The transport system shown in Figure 8 is configured to transport the breast fillets from a production station to a processing station, with the breast fillets rotated over a 90 degree angle. The breast fillets having a supply orientation such that they extend transversely to the transport direction are rotated by the system so that the breast fillets of the discharge conveyor extend parallel to the transport direction, preferably with the part wider first. The breast fillets are thus transferred to a processing station in an optimal position and cut there.

[0087] In an alternative embodiment of the transport system shown in Figure 8, the transport surface begins and / or ends at an angle with the transport direction that differs by forty-five degrees. For example, to rotate a meat product over a 45 degree angle around a vertical axis, the beginning and end of the transport surface can be extended at an angle to the transport direction of 22.5 and 22.5 degrees

or 45 and 0 degrees, respectively.

[0088] Such a transport system can be mounted simply from a combination of two standard types of conveyor belts and a transfer conveyor belt specifically adapted for the desired transfer operation. The transport surface of the transfer conveyor belt is preferably defined by directed rollers, but can also be defined by a conveyor belt, for example.

[0089] Figures 9a-10b show variations of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, in which the transport surface of the supply conveyor is positioned at a certain height above the transport surface or a conveyor of discharge, so that a supplied meat product falls from the supply conveyor down onto the discharge conveyor. In this case, the distance over which the meat product falls is such that the meat product rotates around an angle of 180 degrees about an axis transverse to the direction of transport during the fall from the supply conveyor belt on the discharge conveyor

[0090] The transport systems 900, 910 illustrated in Figures 9a-10b comprise a supply conveyor 901, 911 and a discharge conveyor 902 912 for the transport of meat products 904 614 in a transport direction, indicated by an arrow 903, 913. The supply conveyor and the discharge conveyor are positioned at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other. The transport surface or the supply conveyor and the discharge conveyor are defined, for example, with rollers or a driven conveyor belt. The transport surface of the supply conveyor ends above the transport surface of the discharge conveyor, so that a product falls from the supply conveyor onto the discharge conveyor. The supply conveyors are arranged at a certain height with respect to the unloading conveyors, so that a supplied meat product turns over when it falls from the supply conveyor onto the unloading conveyor.

[0091] Compared to the orientation of the meat products on the supply conveyor belt, the meat products on the discharge conveyor are not only rotated around an angle of 180 degrees around an axis transverse to the direction of transport, but also over a 180 degree angle around an axis at right angles to the transport surface.

[0092] By arranging the conveyor belts in this way, a simple transport system can be configured for the inclination and rotation of the meat products with respect to the direction of transport using standard types of conveyor belts.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment of a meat processing system according to the invention, a sensor and a control system for controlling the discharge speed of the discharge conveyor are provided based on the frequency of supply of the fillets of breast on the supply conveyor belt. In practice, it can happen that successive breast fillets are supplied at irregular intervals.

[0094] The cause may be, for example, the collection of breast fillets. The breast fillets are separated from a housing and subsequently fall on the supply conveyor belt. Since some breast fillets come out earlier than others, the breast fillets do not fall into the supply conveyor at intervals

regular. However, with certain processing stations, it is preferred to deliver the breast fillets at fixed intervals and therefore deliver them at a separate regular distance. By adjusting the transport speed of the unloading conveyor or a parking belt, depending on the frequency of supply of the meat products, it is possible that the meat products are delivered at substantially regular intervals to the processing station.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, a relatively short parking belt is provided between the relatively long supply conveyor and the relatively long discharge conveyor in order to compensate for variations in the distance between successively supplied meat products. The parking belt is preferably of sufficient length to support a single meat product, and is located below the supply conveyor belt to receive meat products. The discharge conveyor is disposed at the end of the parking belt, such that the meat products are transferred from the parking belt to the discharge conveyor belt. The supply conveyor and the discharge conveyor are moving at a constant speed and the speed of the parking belt is controlled by a control system.

[0096] Preferably, the parking belt is advanced with a fixed time interval in order to supply a meat product to the unloading conveyor. For example, when the parking belt is advanced every 2 seconds, there is an interval of 2 seconds that can be used to pass a meat product over the unloading conveyor. A meat product is then passed on the discharge conveyor every two seconds, whereby the meat products are transported on the discharge conveyor at a fixed frequency.

[0097] In a further embodiment, the control system is provided with a sensor, for example, a chamber or unit of weight below the transport surface of the supply belt, to record the supply frequency, and therefore both the mutual distance between meat products, on the supply conveyor belt. In this case, the control system is configured to control the transport speed, that is, the acceleration and deceleration and, possibly, the pause of the parking belt as a function of the supply frequency in order to reduce the difference in mutual distance between successive meat products. In such an embodiment, the parking belt is preferably of sufficient length to support several meat products.

[0098] In a further embodiment, a transfer conveyor belt as shown in Figure 8 is configured as a parking belt, that is, that the transport speed of the transfer conveyor is controlled by a control system. Therefore, the orientation of the meat products with respect to the direction of transport can be changed and the mutual distance between the meat products on the unloading conveyor can also be matched compared to the mutual distance of the successive products of Meat on the supply conveyor.

[0099] Figures 11-13 show exemplary embodiments of 1000-1020 transport systems that can be used with the meat processing system according to the invention. The transport systems 1000-1020 comprise a supply belt 1001, 1011, 1021 provided with a movable element 1004, 1014,1024, and two discharge conveyors 1002, 1003, 1012, 1013, 2033,1023. The movable element of the supply conveyor belt acts as a switch that makes it possible to distribute the products supplied in more than two discharge conveyors. The position of the movable element is controlled by a control system that is part of the meat processing system. The products are transported by the transport system in a transport direction, indicated by an arrow 1006, 1016, 1026.

[0100] In the transport system 1000 shown in the side view in Figure 11, a supply conveyor 1001 is combined with two discharge conveyors 1002, 1003. The two discharge conveyors are placed one on top of the other. The supply conveyor 1001 is provided with a hinge portion 1004 that is mounted so that it can swing around a horizontal axis transverse to the transport direction. Through the movable part, the supply conveyor can transfer the supplied products to the first conveyor belt 1002 or the second discharge conveyor 1003.

[0101] A transport system as illustrated in Figures 11-13 is suitable for distributing a flow of products at a supply frequency Vx on more than two discharge conveyors having a discharge frequency of half of Vx. Therefore, the transport system can connect a high speed production station for two low speed processing stations.

[0102] Figures 12 and 13 show a top view of systems 1010, 1020 that are configured to divide a single flow of products into two transport discharge streams. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, the discharge conveyors are located next to each other.

[0103] The supply conveyor 1011 in Figure 12 is provided with a movable part 1014 that is articulated mounted on an axis that is vertical with respect to the transport surface. Thus, the supply conveyor acts as a switch.

[0104] The supply conveyor 1021 in Figure 13 is provided with a part 1024 that can be moved in translation in the horizontal plane. The supply conveyor therefore functions as a switch.

[0105] The movable part of the supply conveyor belt is controlled by a control system. In this way, the transport system is configured to distribute a single flow of products from more than two discharge conveyors.

[0106] By reversing the transport direction in the examples illustrated in Figures 11-13, the illustrated principle can be used to combine a first and second product flow to form a single product flow.

[0107] The transport systems described above can be combined with each other in the meat processing systems to join certain production stations whose frequency and / or orientation of the discharge products does not match that of the processing stations without having You transfer and / or redirect the products manually.

[0108] In a preferred embodiment of a meat processing system according to the invention, the transport system has a modular design, so that the stations and the transport system can be independently replaced in order to combine a certain type of production station with different processing stations and vice versa.

[0109] For example, different types of supply conveyors can be configured in such a way that they can only be combined with one type of discharge conveyor. By mounting a transport system on the basis of one or more supply conveyors with said discharge conveyor, it is possible to offer various solutions for the connection of a production station to a processing station. For example, you can choose a supply conveyor that is positioned in line with the discharge conveyor, or a supply conveyor that is located partly parallel to the discharge conveyor in order to deliver the meat products. Depending on the desired orientation of the meat products, it is also possible to mount a specific transport system.

[0110] Supply conveyors can also be configured to receive meat products of the usual types of supply conveyors, and discharge belts for the transfer of meat products to the usual types of conveyor belts.

[0111] In a preferred embodiment, the meat processing system according to the invention is provided with a production station configured for slaughtered poultry breast fillets. In a further preferred embodiment, a meat processing system according to the invention is provided with a production station configured to produce, substantially in parallel, a first stream of breast fillets on the left side and a second stream of breast fillets from the right side of poultry, such as chickens or turkeys. The meat processing system is provided with a first supply conveyor for transporting breast fillets on the left side, a second supply conveyor for transporting breast fillets on the right side and a common discharge conveyor for transport the breast fillets on the left and right side.

[0112] The first and second supply conveyor belt are configured to transfer to the common discharge conveyor belt and simultaneously rotating the breast fillets in a first and second transfer location, respectively, such that the discharge conveyor supplies the breast fillets to the processing station in a discharge orientation that differs from the supply orientation and the frequency of supply of the respective supply conveyors.

[0113] A supply conveyor and the discharge conveyor may, for example, be configured as the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. The second supply conveyor may, for example, be configured as the second supply conveyor. shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which case the supply conveyor is arranged parallel to the first conveyor belt and above the first supply conveyor belt, such that the meat products supplied from this supply conveyor fall on the Discharge conveyor at a transfer location below the transfer location where the first supply belt transfers the meat products to the discharge conveyor belt.

[0114] Figure 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a meat processing system according to the invention, comprising a system for simultaneous collection of breast fillets. Such a system is known, for example, by NL1030671 and is commercially available under the name "FHF system".

[0115] Such a meat processing system is configured to collect slaughtered poultry breast fillets, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc. At the production station, the breast fillets on the left and the right side are separated from the housing at the same time. The breast fillets on the left side

and the right part falls on a conveyor belt in order to be transported to a processing station. Preferably, breast fillets are separated from the carcass with a scraper, but can also be cut from the carcass. Both breast fillets subsequently fall on a conveyor belt that transports the breast fillets for further processing, for example to a packing station where the breast fillets are packaged individually or together with others in a tray-shaped container that is sealed With a transparent film.

[0116] Before being packaged, breast fillets are also usually inspected for the presence of bone chips and are weighed. The inspection of bone chips is performed at an inspection station. At the inspection station, the inner surface of the breast fillet, that is, the surface of the breast fillet that is separated from the housing, is subjected to a visual inspection. The inspection can be carried out by a person or, for example, by a camera. These breast fillets that still contain bone chips are removed from the product flow and processed separately.

[0117] The breast fillets that have passed are then transported to a weight station where they are weighed. This information is subsequently printed on the packaging and / or used for the dosage of breast fillets, so that portions of breast fillets of a certain combined weight can be packaged together.

[0118] Figure 5 schematically shows a meat processing system 301 of this type comprising a production station 302 of the breast fillets 308, 408 of slaughtered poultry, in which the production station 302 is configured to produce substantially simultaneously a first flow of breast fillets on the left side 308 and a second flow of breast fillets on the right side 408. Figure 6 shows a view in the direction of arrow B of a cross section in the line AA of the meat processing system of Figure 5 and Figure 7 shows a view in the direction of the arrow C of a cross section on the line AA.

[0119] The meat processing system 301 comprises a transport system 304 configured to transport the breast fillets 308, 408 in a transport direction 305, 405 along a transport path from the production station 302 to a weight station 303. The transport system 304 comprises a divider 500, a first adjacent supply conveyor belt 306 and a second supply conveyor 406, both of which border a common discharge conveyor 307.

[0120] The first supply conveyor belt corresponds to the supply conveyor belt of the meat processing system shown in Figures 1 and 2. The second supply conveyor corresponds to one of the supply conveyors of the meat processing system shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0121] The breast fillets on the left side and on the right side fall on the left side and the right part of the conveyor belts the divider. Below, the conveyor belts are separated in order to supply the breast fillets of separate conveyor belts. The breast fillets on the left side are transferred from the divider 500 to the first supply conveyor belt 307 and the breast fillets from the right side to the second supply conveyor belt 407. These conveyor belts extend in a first direction of supply and a second supply direction, respectively, for the transport of the breast fillets of the left and the right part, respectively, along a supply section of the transport path. The supply conveyors transmit the breast fillets at a supply rate V1 and a supply frequency and a supply orientation with respect to the transport direction determined by the production station.

[0122] Common discharge conveyor 307 extends in a discharge direction to transport breast fillets 308, 408 supplied by supply conveyors 306, 406 along a discharge section of the transport path at a speed of discharge V2, equal to 2 times the supply speed of the separate supply conveyors.

[0123] The supply conveyors are further configured to rotate over the breast fillets, in which case the discharge orientation of the breast fillets with respect to the transport direction of the discharge conveyor 307 is changed with respect to the orientation of supply of breast fillets with respect to the transport surface of the supply conveyors 306, 406.

[0124] In the meat processing system according to the invention, the first and second supply conveyor belt 306, 307 are further configured for the transfer of breast fillets in a first and second transfer location, respectively, to the common discharge conveyor belt and turning them simultaneously, the discharge speed V2 of the discharge conveyor being twice that of the supply speed V1 of the supply conveyor. The second transfer location is located below the first transfer location.

[0125] Because the speed of the discharge conveyor belt 307 is greater than that of the supply conveyor belt 306, the mutual distance between the breast fillets on the left side 308 is greater than that of the supply conveyor 306 afterwards of transfer to the discharge conveyor belt 307. Because the transport speed of the discharge conveyor is higher, the breast fillets on the left side also move faster with respect to the breast fillets on the conveyors of supply.

[0126] The transfer location for transferring the breast fillets on the right side 408 into the discharge conveyor 308 is positioned such that the breast fillets on the right side are placed between the breast fillets on the left side and there is only one flow of breast fillets on the right side and the left side alternately. The discharge orientation of the breast fillets on the discharge conveyor differs from the supply orientation on the supply conveyor belt and the discharge frequency of the supply frequency of the supply conveyor.

[0127] In Figure 5 the production station 302 is configured to produce a first stream of breast fillets on the left side 308 and a second stream of breast fillets on the right side 408. The breast fillets on the left side and from the right part they fall almost simultaneously on a left part and a right conveyor belt 501, 502, with the inner surface facing down. The breast fillets are not physically connected to each other, but they fall so close to each other that they usually partially overlap each other once they are, for example, on a conveyor belt. The breast fillets have to be separated from each other so that they can be transported and processed separately. Due to the fact that the surface of the breast fillets has a high coefficient of friction, it is not easy to separate the breast fillets that have been superimposed on each other. However, a splitter conveyor is particularly suitable for separating breast fillets from the left and the right side.

[0128] For reasons of clarity, the side of the breast fillets that were originally oriented towards the skin has been sharpened in the figures, and the inner surface along which the breast fillet has been cut loose has not been sharp. The breast fillets fall from the FHF device with the skin side up and are rotated with the inner surface turned down.

[0129] Since the breast fillets are sharpened at the same time, it is possible that the breast fillets are supplied by the harvesting machine, so that they overlap slightly. In order to process the breast fillets separately, the production station is preferably provided with a dividing conveyor belt 500 to separate the breast fillets in a first stream of breast fillets on the left side 308 and a second stream of breast fillets on the right side 408. The dividing conveyor belt 500 comprises a conveyor belt on the left 501 and a conveyor belt on the right 502, both extending from a collection area where the breast fillets fall from the collection machine to a transfer area where breast fillets are transferred to the transport system.

[0130] In the collection area below the collection machine, the conveyor belts of the divider conveyor are positioned such that the sides facing each other are placed against each other, so that little or no space remains between the conveyor belts for the collection of breast fillets on the right side and on the left side that overlap slightly with each other. The breast fillet on the left side 308 falls on the conveyor belt on the left 501 and the breast fillet on the right side 408 falls on the conveyor belt on the right 502. The breast fillets usually fall so that they partially overlap each other. In order to separate the breast fillets overlapping each other, the conveyor belts are separated in the downward direction, so that they separate the breast fillet from the left to the right. The conveyor on the left carries the breast fillet on the left and the conveyor on the right carries the breast fillet on the right, so that the two breast fillets are separated from each other. Breast fillets can now be processed separately from each other.

[0131] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, on the sides facing each other, the conveyor belts of the divider are provided with optional pins 503 that mate with the breast fillets. The pins increase friction between the conveyor belt and the breast fillet and therefore reduce the risk that one or even both breast fillets slide off the conveyor belts during separation and terminate between the two conveyor belts. In a further preferred embodiment, the transport surface of both conveyor belts is also provided with a structure, for example, several pins that protrude with respect to the transport surface and increase the grip of the breast fillets.

[0132] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 5, the breast fillets on the left and right side of the conveyor belts 501, 502 of the divider 500 are transferred to the first supply conveyor 306 and the second supply conveyor 406, respectively.

[0133] The conveyor belts of the splitter are placed above the first and second supply conveyor belts, so that the breast fillets fall from the divider. The height and transport speed are

such that the breast fillets can be turned over during their fall and lie on the first and second supply conveyor with its inner surface turned upwards.

[0134] The breast fillets are then transported by the first and second supply conveyor with their inner surface facing up. In the area directly below the transfer zone, an inspection station is located in the area where the internal surfaces of the breast fillets are subjected to a visual inspection while being transported on the discharge conveyors. The inspection is carried out by a person (not shown) who is placed next to the conveyor belts. If this person notices splinters of bone on the cutting surface, he will take the breast fillet from the conveyor belt and place it on an additional conveyor belt (not shown) that removes the breast fillet for processing.

[0135] The meat products are subsequently transported by the supply conveyors of the inspection station and transferred to the common discharge conveyor belt, in which case they are inclined around an axis parallel to the direction of transport, which transports the products of meat to the final processing station.

[0136] Meat products are therefore inclined at the time of transfer from the place of production to the supply conveyors and at the time of transfer from the supply conveyor to the discharge conveyor. Upon arrival at the processing station, the breast fillets are rotated with the same face up as in the split conveyors. That part of the breast fillet that was the main part of the split conveyors is the back of the discharge conveyor.

[0137] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 5, the first supply conveyor belt 306 is configured to change the orientation of the breast fillets 308 supplied by said supply conveyor 306 by turning the breast fillets around an axis parallel to the transport direction 305, such that the side of the breast fillet 308 that rotated downward on the supply conveyor 306 is turned upward on the discharge belt 307.

[0138] At the end of the supply section 310 of the transport path, the supply conveyor 306 is superimposed on the discharge conveyor belt 307 at the start of the discharge section 311 of the transport path, in which case the direction The supply conveyor belt 306 is at an angle to the discharge direction of the discharge conveyor 307.

[0139] In a further advantageous embodiment, the first supply conveyor belt 306 is provided with an optional unloader to push the breast fillets 308 that do not automatically slide to the supply conveyor. Such an unloader extends substantially transversely through the supply conveyor such that a breast fillet 308 that does not automatically slide out of the supply conveyor belt moves over the unloader. The unloader separates the breast fillet from the conveyor belt, and as a result the breast fillet on the supply conveyor belt slides over the discharge conveyor and in the process tilts around an axis parallel to the direction of transport.

[0140] The arrester is preferably a tape-shaped element, made of an easy-to-clean material, such as steel or plastic, which preferably has a low friction coefficient, preferably a friction coefficient less than the friction coefficient of the conveyor Download In a further preferred embodiment, the surface of the unloader that comes into contact with the breast fillet is at an angle with the surface of the supply conveyor, so that the unloader actively guides the breast fillet to move away from the supply conveyor belt This speeds up the rotation on the meat product 308 while pushing on the discharge conveyor 307. This arrester is provided on the other supply conveyor 406 and is described below.

[0141] The first supply conveyor extends in line with the discharge conveyor 307. A part is located below it extends along the discharge conveyor. The part of the supply conveyor belt 306 that overlaps the discharge conveyor 307 curves and therefore forms a connection between the part of the supply conveyor belt 306 that extends in line with the discharge conveyor 307 and the part of the supply conveyor belt 306 that extends alongside the discharge conveyor 307.

[0142] The first supply conveyor belt comprises a first return roller 314, whose axis of rotation extends in a horizontal plane, and a second return roller 315, whose axis of rotation extends in a substantially vertical direction.

[0143] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the second supply conveyor 406 is configured to change the orientation of the breast fillets 408 supplied by said supply conveyor 406 by turning the breast fillets 408 around a axis parallel to the direction of transport

405, such that the side of the breast fillet 408 that was turned down on the supply conveyor 406 is turned upward on the discharge conveyor 307.

[0144] At the end of the supply section 410 of the transport path, the supply conveyor 406 extends along the discharge conveyor 307. At the end of the supply part of the transport path, the surface of the Supply conveyor belt 406 in the transport direction 405 gradually inclines transversely to the transport direction. The surface tilts from a substantially horizontal position to support a breast fillet 408 in a substantially vertical position to transfer the breast fillet 408.

[0145] The surface of the supply conveyor belt is adapted to meat products in such a way that the coefficient of mutual friction is sufficient to prevent the meat product from sliding directly on the supply conveyor belt. By tilting the transport surface, the force in the lateral direction caused by the force of gravity gradually increases in the meat product. At a certain point in time, the force is so great that the meat product slides laterally out of the supply conveyor, bends and falls face down on the discharge conveyor. The breast fillet is thus transferred onto the discharge conveyor 307, which extends there along the supply conveyor belt 406, in a direction substantially transverse to the transport direction 405.

[0146] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the supply conveyor 406 is provided with an optional arrester 413 that extends in a substantially vertical direction along the transport surface of the supply conveyor, at the end of the transfer location. , within which the breast fillet is transferred to the discharge conveyor belt. If the breast fillet "sticks" to the supply conveyor unexpectedly, the breast fillet comes into contact with the unloader 413 that separates the breast fillet from the transport surface, so that it still slips. In a preferred embodiment, the unloader is a belt-shaped element that extends across the entire width of the conveyor. Preferably, the contact sheet has a certain angle with the transport surface to expedite the inclination.

[0147] The arrester is preferably made of a material having a low coefficient of friction, for example, metal or plastic.

[0148] The supply conveyor 406 is provided with a first return roller 414, whose axis of rotation extends in a horizontal plane, and a second return roller 415, whose axis of rotation extends in a substantially vertical direction.

[0149] The breast fillets are therefore tilted at the point in time when they are transferred from the production station to the supply conveyors and at the point in time when they are transferred from the supply conveyor to the discharge conveyor . Upon arrival at the processing station, the breast fillets are placed with the same face turned upwards as on the conveyors of the divider of the production station. The part of the breast fillet that was the main part of the splitter conveyors is the back in the discharge conveyor. In addition, the two streams of breast fillets on the right and left side combine to form a single stream of breast fillets on the left and right side alternately. The transport system shown is particularly suitable for connecting a production station to produce fillets from the left and the right part in, for example, a weight station to weigh a single flow of breast fillets.

[0150] Providing the production station with a splitter conveyor makes it relatively easy to supply a separate first and second stream of breast fillets to a production system for transportation to a processing station.

[0151] The invention also provides a method for the processing of meat products, in particular, slaughtered poultry breast fillets, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc., in which use is made of a processing system of the meat according to the invention.

[0152] The procedure provides for the transport of meat products in a transport direction from a production station to a processing station, in which case the orientation of the meat products is adapted with respect to the transport direction of the feed stream. Meat products during transport. In this way, the flow of meat products delivered by the production station is adapted to the desired input position of the meat products for the processing station.

[0153] In particular, the invention provides a method for simultaneously removing breast fillets from the left side and from the right side of a slaughterhouse bird, transmitting the breast fillets from the left side and from the right side along a first and a second transport path, respectively, combining said flows of breast fillets on the left side and on the right side to form a single stream of breast fillets alternating on the left side and the right side by means of a system of

transport and, at the same time as the combination operation, rotate on said breast fillets so that the breast fillets are positioned on the discharge conveyor with the side that was turned down on the supply conveyor belt turned up.

[0154] In an advantageous embodiment, the supply conveyor belt of a transport system according to the invention is configured to convert the meat products by tilting the transport surface transversely to the transport direction. Such a supply conveyor belt is particularly suitable for tilting flat meat products, such as breast fillets and the thighs that still carry the bone. These meat products extend substantially in one plane. Meat products have a substantially flat bottom side and a relatively narrow top and side sides. Such meat products rest on the relatively large surface of the top or bottom surface of the meat product.

[0155] As a rule, such flat products are packaged with a specific side facing up. For example, chicken thighs and breast fillets are packaged primarily in tray-shaped containers that are sealed with a transparent film. Thanks to the transparent film, meat products are visible to the consumer. Therefore, meat products are packaged in such a way that the relatively smooth side of the skin is oriented upwards and the side of the relatively damaged cut, the side that was connected to the poultry bones, is oriented downwards. .

[0156] When meat products leave a production station with the cut side facing up, they will have to be turned. In addition, it is sometimes desirable that during the processing of the meat products a certain side be turned upwards, for example during the visual inspection of the inner surface or when the skin side is marinated.

[0157] A transport system configured to rotate meat products during transport makes it possible to have an efficient meat processing system, since independent processing stations are not required to reorient meat products manually or for example, with a robot .

[0158] In a preferred embodiment, the transport system according to the invention is provided with supply conveyors and discharge conveyors that are part of the production station and the processing station, respectively. In such a configuration, the distance between the production station and the processing station can be small, since since the products do not have to be transferred from, for example, a conveyor belt from the production station to a supply conveyor.

[0159] In an alternative embodiment, the transport system according to the invention is provided with supply conveyors and discharge conveyors that are not part of the production station and the processing station, respectively. In said embodiment, the stations are provided, for example, with a conveyor belt for the transfer of the meat products to the supply conveyor belt or for the reception of the meat products from the discharge conveyor. The advantage of such an embodiment is that the transport system can be of modular design, so that it can be adapted independently to the stations and can be combined with another product station or another processing station in a simpler manner.

[0160] It is clear that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments illustrated herein. Therefore, various combinations of discharge conveyors and supply conveyor belts can be produced. In addition, the transport system may, for example, be provided with a switch between a supply conveyor and two discharge conveyors to divide a single product flow into two individual product flows.

[0161] The production station of a meat processing system according to the invention is configured to produce meat products, preferably slaughterhouse pieces, such as breast fillets, thighs or wings, or the slaughterhouse animal housing, preferably poultry corral, like chickens, turkeys and ducks. The slaughterhouse parts are removed from the housing at the production station and subsequently delivered to the transport system for transport to a processing station.

[0162] Each time a breast fillet is mentioned in this application, the intention is to refer to the left or right side of the breast fillet that, before slaughter, was attached to the left or right part of the housing, respectively. Therefore, it does not refer to the combination of a breast fillet on the left and on the right side.

[0163] Conveyor belts comprise a transport surface to support the products being transported. The transport surface is defined by the top of a conveyor belt. It is clear that a conveyor belt in most cases can be replaced by a series of driven transport rollers without having a negative impact on the invention.

[0164] Such variants will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are considered to be covered by the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. Meat processing system (1; 101) comprising: a production station (2; 102) to produce meat products (8; 108,208), preferably poultry pieces free range such as chicken or turkey, preferably breast fillets; a processing station (3; 103) for the processing of meat products (8; 108,208); a transport system (4; 104) configured to transport meat products (8; 108 208) in one direction of transport (5; 105,205) along a transport path from the production station (2; 102) to the processing station (3; 103), the transport system comprising: at least one supply conveyor belt (6; 106 206) extending in a supply direction for transport meat products along a supply section (10; 110 210) of the trajectory of transport in a supply orientation with respect to the transport direction (5; 105,205) that is determined by the production station (2; 102); and at least one discharge conveyor (7; 107) extending in a discharge direction to transport the meat products along a discharge section (11; 109) of the transport path in one orientation of discharge with respect to a transport address (5; 105,205) that is determined by the transport system (4; 104), in which the surface of the supply conveyor belt (6: 106) in the downward direction tilts gradually transverse to the transport direction (5; 105), from a position substantially horizontal to support a meat product (8; 108) in a preferably substantially vertical position, inclined to transfer the meat product (8; 108) in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of transport (5; 105) to the discharge conveyor (7; 107) which, at the location of the transfer, extends to along the supply conveyor belt (6; 106) such that, during transfer from the belt Supply conveyor (6; 106) to the discharge conveyor (7; 107), the meat product (8; 108) is inclines around an axis that extends substantially in the direction of transport (5; 1 05), and the side of the meat product that is turned down on the supply conveyor belt (6; 106) is turned towards up on the discharge conveyor (7; 107), such that the supply conveyor belt (6; 106, 206) is configured to transfer the meat products to the discharge conveyor (7; 107) and the transport system is configured as so that the orientation of the meat products in the unloading conveyor (7; 107) differs from the orientation of meat products on the supply conveyor belt (6; 106,206).

2.

 Meat processing system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one supply conveyor belt (6) partially overlaps with the discharge conveyor (7), seen in a vertical direction.

3.

 Meat processing system (104) according to claim 1, wherein

the production station (102) is configured to produce substantially a first and simultaneously a second stream of meat products (108,208); the processing station (103) is configured for the processing of a single flow of meat products (108,208); The transport system (104) comprises: said supply conveyor as a first supply conveyor belt (106), which extends in a supply address for transporting the first stream of meat products (108) along a first supply section of the transport path at a supply frequency and an orientation of supply with respect to the transport direction (105) that are determined by the production station (102); a second supply conveyor (206), which extends in a supply direction to transport a second stream of meat products (208) along a second supply section of the trajectory of transport on a supply frequency and a supply orientation with respect to the direction of transport that are determined by the production station (102); Y said discharge conveyor as a common discharge conveyor (107) extending in one direction of unloading for the transport of meat products (108, 208) supplied by the transporters of supply (106,206) along a discharge section of the transport path at a frequency of discharge that is equal to the supply frequency of the first supply conveyor belt (106), in addition of the supply frequency of the second supply conveyor belt (206) and which is determined by the transport system (104), in which the first and second supply conveyor (106,206) is configured for, in a first and a second transfer location, respectively, transfer the meat products (108,208) to the conveyor belt of common discharge (107) and, simultaneously, turning them over, in which case the second transfer location It is located below the first transfer location or vice versa.

Four.

 Meat processing system according to claim 3, wherein the production station (102) is configured to produce substantially a first flow of breast fillets on the left side (108) and a second flow of breast fillets simultaneously from the right side (208) of slaughterhouse poultry.

5.

 Meat processing system (301) according to claim 1, wherein the production station (302) is configured for breast fillets (308,408) of slaughtered poultry, and is configured to produce substantially a first flow simultaneously of breast fillets on the left side (308) and a second flow of breast fillets on the right side (408); the processing station (303) is configured to process a single flow comprising both breast fillets on the left and on the right (308, 408); The transport system (304) is configured to transport the breast fillets (308, 408) in a transport direction (305, 405) along a transport path from the production station (302) to the filling station. processing (303), and the transport system (304) comprises:

said supply conveyor as a first supply conveyor belt (306), which extends in a supply direction for transporting the breast fillets on the left side (308) along a first supply section of the trajectory of transport at a supply frequency and a supply orientation relative to that of the transport direction (305) that are determined by the production station (302); a second supply conveyor (406), which extends in a supply direction to transport the breast fillets on the right side (408) along a second supply section of the transport path at a supply frequency and a supply orientation with respect to transport direction (405) which are determined by the production station (301), and said discharge conveyor as a common discharge conveyor (307) that extends in a discharge direction to transport the breast fillets (308, 408) supplied by the supply conveyors (306, 406) along a discharge section of the transport path at a discharge speed and a discharge orientation with respect to the transport direction (305, 405) that differ from the supply speed and the supply orientation of the breast fillets on a supply conveyor belt, and wherein the first and second supply conveyor (306, 406) are configured to, in a first and second transfer location, respectively, transfer the breast fillets (308 408) to the common discharge conveyor belt ( 307) and, simultaneously, turn them over, and in which the second transfer location is located below the first transfer location, such that the discharge conveyor (307) provides the breast fillets (308 408) to the processing station (303) in a discharge orientation that differs from the supply orientation in a supply conveyor (306,406) and a discharge frequency that differs from the supply frequency of a supply conveyor (306,406). 6. Meat processing system according to claim 5, wherein the surface of the second supply conveyor belt (406) in the downward direction gradually tilts transversely to the transport direction (405), from a position substantially horizontal to support a breast fillet (408) to a preferably substantially vertical inclined position, to transfer the breast fillet (408) in a direction substantially transverse to the transport direction (405) to the discharge conveyor (307) which, at the location of the transfer location, extends along the supply conveyor belt (406) such that, during the transfer from the supply conveyor belt (406) to the discharge conveyor (307), the breast fillet (408) bends around an axis that extends substantially in the direction of transport (405), and the side of the meat product that is turned down on the supply conveyor belt (406) ) it is turned upwards in the discharge conveyor (307), and, optionally, in said system a supply conveyor belt (306), whose transport surface gradually tilts in the transport direction, partially overlaps with the conveyor of discharge (307), seen in the vertical direction. 7. Meat processing system according to one or more of claims 4-6, further comprising a dividing conveyor belt (500) for separating the breast fillets in a first flow of breast fillets from the left side (308) and a second flow of breast fillets on the right side (408), the dividing conveyor belt (500) comprising a conveyor belt on the left (501) and a conveyor belt on the right (502), both of which extend from a collection area where the breast fillets fall from the collection machine (302) to a transfer area where the breast fillets (308 408) on the left and the conveyor belt on the right (501.502) are transferred to the first and the second supply conveyor belt (306,406) of the transport system, respectively, in which, on the receiving area, the sides of the conveyor belt on the left and on the right (501,502) are placed one ntra the other in such a way that there is little or no space between the conveyor belts to collect the breast fillets on the left and right (308,408) that overlap slightly with each other, and in which the conveyor belts on the left side and the right part (501, 502) diverges from each other below the collection area, with the conveyor belt on the left (501) carrying the breast fillet on the left side (308) and the conveyor belt of the right (502) carrying the breast fillet on the right (408), such that the overlapping breast fillets are separated from each other.

8.

 Meat processing system according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor belts (501,502) are provided with pins (503) that extend with respect to the transport surface of the conveyor belts to engage with the breast fillets (308 408 ), and which are preferably provided at least along the sides of the conveyor belts (501,502) that are oriented to each other.

9.

 Meat processing system according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the second supply conveyor at the end of the second supply section of the transport path is positioned with a transport surface at such a height above a surface of transport of the discharge conveyor that causes the product of meat supplied to fall from the supply conveyor on the common discharge conveyor and which, during the fall, rotates around an axis substantially transverse to the transport direction.

10.

 Meat processing system according to claim 9, wherein the second supply conveyor at the end of the second supply section of the transport path is arranged with the supply transport direction substantially in line with the transport direction of Unloading of the common discharge conveyor at the beginning of the discharge section of the transport path.

eleven.

 Meat processing system according to claim 9, wherein the second supply conveyor at the end of the second supply section of the transport path is arranged with the transport direction of the supply substantially transverse to the discharge transport direction of the common discharge conveyor at the beginning of the discharge section of the transport path.

12.

 Meat processing system according to claim 3 or 5, further comprising a transfer conveyor belt (802) provided with a transport surface, preferably formed by directed rollers, to support the meat products (804), whose belt Transfer conveyor (802) forms a connection between the second supply conveyor belt (801) and the common discharge conveyor (803) to transfer the meat products (804) from the second supply conveyor belt to the discharge conveyor belt common such that, in relation to the direction of transport (803), the discharge orientation of meat products differs from the orientation of supply of meat products, in that the principle of the transport surface, preferably at a substantially equal height, it joins the end of the second supply conveyor belt to receive a meat product, and the former The surface of the transport surface, preferably at the same height, joins the beginning of the common discharge conveyor belt to provide the meat product, and in which the beginning and end of the transport surface of the conveyor belt of The transfer makes an angle with the transport direction to cover said meat products in a transport direction at an angle with the transport direction of the second supply conveyor and the transport direction of the common discharge transport belt.

13.

 Meat processing system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system is of modular design, so that the stations and the transport system can be independently replaced from each other to combine a certain type of station. production with different processing stations and vice versa.

14.

 Meat products processing system, for example, slaughter poultry breast fillets, the use of which is carried out with a meat processing system according to one or more of the preceding claims.